Do Mesenchymal Stem Cells Influence Keloid Recurrence?

Introduction: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been postulated by a number of authors to be the precursor cells of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in keloids. They have been seen as a regenerative pool that ensures a steady supply of cells. The objective of our study was to determine MSCs in keloids and normal skin as a determinant of keloid recurrence.

Methods: This was a longitudinal prospective study in which patients with keloid excisions of their specimens analyzed for MSC. A control group of patients matched for age, sex, and body-mass index (BMI) with no history of keloids admitted for elective surgical procedures had their skin samples taken and also analyzed for MSCs. Data collected were analyzed and compared using Student's t, x ², and Fisher's exact t tests.

Results: A total of 61 patients with keloids and a control group of 32 patients were recruited. The male:female ratio was 1:2 and mean age 29.5 and 29.7 years for keloids and controls, respectively. Patients with recurrent keloids had a mean density of 841.4 MSCs/g compared to 578 MSCs/g of tissue for those with no recurrence and 580 MSCs/g for patients with normal skin. Recurrent keloids had a significantly higher percentage of MSCs than those without.

Conclusion: Keloids compared to normal skin had a higher percentage of MSCs, with recurrent keloids demonstrating an even higher count, a possible indicator that MSCs might correlate with severity of keloid disease and recurrence.